In the market for my first EDC style fixed blade, need recommendations.

[Gravy]

What's up everyone? So recently I've realized that I have a significant hole in my collection - no fixed blades!


What I'm looking for:

- Cutting edge between 2-3.25 inches, around 3" is preferred

- Horizontal belt carry - NOT interested in vertical carry

- Easy to conceal - This is a must

- No serrations

- Soft price limit of $150

- Will be used in light EDC tasks

Right now I'm considering:

Bradford Guardian 3 in n690 - Strongly considering this one

Esee Izula in 1095

White River Knives Backpacker in S30v

Evans Knife and Tool Companion in CPM 20CV

Enzo Necker 70 in 12C27



Outside of the 5 I'm considering, what are some other knives yall would recommend/pick?

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I can highly recommend Bradford knives ... depending on your hand size you may want to compare the Guardian 3 and the Guardian 3.5 ...just gives you a bit more handle ... either are very nice knives.

The Izula II is a nice knife less expensive but 1095 vs n690 or M390 depending what you prefer.

 

[Deinos]

I carry the guardian 3 in 3v. Great knife if you are comfortable with the choil, if not, guardian 3.5 is a good choice.

If you like the Izula, consider the BK14/24. Izula handle with the Becker necker blade shape. Could mount the sheath horizontally.

Horizontal is going to limit you without going to custom sheaths outside of the choices you listed.

 

[Lapedog]

What's up everyone? So recently I've realized that I have a significant hole in my collection - no fixed blades!


What I'm looking for:

- Cutting edge between 2-3.25 inches, around 3" is preferred

- Horizontal belt carry - NOT interested in vertical carry

- Easy to conceal - This is a must

- No serrations

- Soft price limit of $150

- Will be used in light EDC tasks

Right now I'm considering:

Bradford Guardian 3 in n690 - Strongly considering this one

Esee Izula in 1095

White River Knives Backpacker in S30v

Evans Knife and Tool Companion in CPM 20CV



Outside of the 4 I'm considering, what are some other knives yall would recommend/pick?

Bradford is great, I’ve only ever found one EDC fixed blade that is better than it imho and that is the Spyderco Street Beat. This knife is so confortable to carry I literally cannot feel it is there. That Evans knife and tool looks amazing too, though I’ve never owned one of those.

It conceals great without printing.

Check out the Spartan Enyo as well which is a little smaller but the Street Beat has the more ergonomic handle in hand. The Street B and the Enyo are both extremely comfortable to carry.

Both these knivesbcan be set up for horizontal and I know you insist on horizontal carry but check this out. There is no lower profile carry option than a static cord. I also find it the most comfortable.

Here’s an article explaing static cord carry better.

http://jerkingthetrigger.com/2016/06/08/simple-knife-carry-hack-the-static-cord/

 

[bikerector]

Personally, I think getting a knife design you like and having a custom sheath made may be a good option. I've found fixed blades for EDC are defined by how easy they are to carry.

On that list, bradford gets my nod as I strongly prefer stainless for EDC. White river seems expensive to me and I don't know the evans one well.

crkt hunt n fish has a pretty nice stock sheath though the knife itself isn't spectacular looking at the specs. Design looks decent.

 

[Lapedog]

Personally, I think getting a knife design you like and having a custom sheath made may be a good option. I've found fixed blades for EDC are defined by how easy they are to carry.

On that list, bradford gets my nod as I strongly prefer stainless for EDC. White river seems expensive to me and I don't know the evans one well.

crkt hunt n fish has a pretty nice stock sheath though the knife itself isn't spectacular looking at the specs. Design looks decent.

Gotta agree with you on the point that a fixed blade is only as good as its sheath. A good designed sheath can take a relatively boring mundane fixed blade and turn it into something really special.

It’s like the clips on a folder. You could have an amazing knife but a terrible clip which will mean the knife won’t get carried much.

For example this one where nearly 1/3 of the knife sticks out of your pocket when you carry it.

 

[bikerector]

I liked to carry in the pocket still, like a folder. I had a clip sheath made when I spent more time in a warehouse in a previous job where I inspected a lot more boxes and combos. The sheath only shows a little more than a folder unless it has a deep carry clip. I'm relegated to folders now that I have a cozy office gig but I still carry this around in my man purse for the few days I put some office furniture together or get an especially large shipment of supplies to put into stock.

 

[Lapedog]

I liked to carry in the pocket still, like a folder. I had a clip sheath made when I spent more time in a warehouse in a previous job where I inspected a lot more boxes and combos. The sheath only shows a little more than a folder unless it has a deep carry clip. I'm relegated to folders now that I have a cozy office gig but I still carry this around in my man purse for the few days I put some office furniture together or get an especially large shipment of supplies to put into stock.

Awesome fixed blade and sheath combo

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

I used to EDC an ESEE, it wasn't an Izula, it was the next model up. It had roughly a 3ish inch blade. I like it a lot.

The only reason I got rid of it was due to the fact that I find carrying folders to be easier and more pragmatic for my purposes.

Regardless, ESEE is GTG.

 

[gazz98]

Bradford was my first choice too.

I will also throw out some fixed blades made by the makers here at BF. If you want something a little more unique, you certainly have some options.
For example (note: Not endorsing these particular makers, just showing you some options in your price range..)
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/childress-pair-of-neck-knives-15n20-g-10.1590140/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/childress-hunter-skinner-440-c-australian-red-box-burl.1591938/

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/drop-point.1589708/

Keep an eye out for Landi too, they go fast. I'll be pulling the trigger on one of his knives soon. He has many offerings in the sub $100 range.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/landi-mps-59-black-natural-micarta.1587046/

 

[QAJAQ]

I like a slicier, thinner blade for EDC. Take a look at the Enzo Birk Necker. It fits all your criteria but is thinner than the others mentioned so far. It's available in different steels and different grinds. You can also get it with stock handle scales, or as a plain blade, or in a kit -- so the handle is infinitely customizable as to materials and shape.

 

[yoz's friend]

i have a boker bob, its awsome

 

[bwknives]

I would say that the best EDC knife that follows all of your criteria but the horizontal carry is the Spyderco tenacious, altho you can look on blade forums website, they have all kinds of EDC blades. another knife I would recommend from Spyderco is the Para-Military 2.

best of luck with finding your first EDC!

 

[Gravy]

Thank y'all for all the suggestions, definitely adding some to my list. Keep em coming!

Horizontal is going to limit you without going to custom sheaths outside of the choices you listed.

Good point, I'm certainly not above the idea of having a sheath custom made. However, I would like to avoid mailing my knife out if possible. If I go with the Bradford I'll probably pick up one of those Armatus Carry sheaths somewhere down the road.

Both these knives can be set up for horizontal and I know you insist on horizontal carry but check this out. There is no lower profile carry option than a static cord. I also find it the most comfortable.

Here’s an article explaing static cord carry better.

http://jerkingthetrigger.com/2016/06/08/simple-knife-carry-hack-the-static-cord/

That's actually a nice looking carry option, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the info!

I like a slicier, thinner blade for EDC. Take a look at the Enzo Birk Necker. It fits all your criteria but is thinner than the others mentioned so far. It's available in different steels and different grinds. You can also get it with stock handle scales, or as a plain blade, or in a kit -- so the handle is infinitely customizable as to materials and shape.

That Enzo looks like a sweet knife, especially the blue jean denim micarta version. I'll add it to my list, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Gravy]

I would say that the best EDC knife that follows all of your criteria but the horizontal carry is the Spyderco tenacious, altho you can look on blade forums website, they have all kinds of EDC blades. another knife I would recommend from Spyderco is the Para-Military 2.

best of luck with finding your first EDC!

I'm actually looking for my first fixed blade, I already have too many folders

The Tenacious is an awesome knife for EDC, mine is still as solid as the day I bought it.

 

[azkyakr]

As Gazz98 pointed out, I wholly recommend Childress as a custom knife maker who ticks all your boxes. I have two of his EDC fixed blades, and they are fantastic! I'm amazed at the quality of knife he puts out at such a reasonable price...

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

I have 2 of the Enzo 70's. Very good at an amazing price. But neither the kydex or the leather sheath is horizontal carry. If you want to come up in price a bit, Dave Ferry of Horsewright makes some amazing customs, worth far more than what he charges IMO, and you have a choice of horizontal carry leather sheaths. Dave will also make you a sheath for that Enzo if you go that route. David is commonly seen here on BF.
At the other end of the spectrum, and at the risk of incurring the wrath of some BF members - CRKT has their Hunt'n Fisch which comes with a cross draw sheath and is probably a good fit for your other requirements of size, cost, edc, etc.

 

[b00n]

Since it comes up often enough I made this handy little meme:

 

[Lapedog]

Thank y'all for all the suggestions, definitely adding some to my list. Keep em coming!



Good point, I'm certainly not above the idea of having a sheath custom made. However, I would like to avoid mailing my knife out if possible. If I go with the Bradford I'll probably pick up one of those Armatus Carry sheaths somewhere down the road.



That's actually a nice looking carry option, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the info!



That Enzo looks like a sweet knife, especially the blue jean denim micarta version. I'll add it to my list, thanks for the suggestion!

The Bradford guardian 3 actually comes with a horizontal carry leather sheath.

Also any knife with a kydex sheath that has those eyelets on it you can just attatch the clip set up for horizontal carry. In most instances you will not have to order a custom sheath.

 

[ty_higg]

I personally carry a JK handmade knives EO1 hunter it's a great edc fixed blade. Also the EO1 EDC that has a slightly smaller handle and there both great knives well within your price range. Johns also a great guy to work with.